Adding a unique twist to an historic 105-year-old hardware store on Main Street in Plattsmouth, owner-operator Sue Shaw added “the His & Her hardware” concept to attract more women customers. “With half our customers being woman, we want to be the place where ‘women’ come in and feel comfortable,” she said. “Pinterest is so big right now and we have more single woman owning homes than ever before. They want a place to go where they can talk to someone.” Along with a classic offering, Shaw has added home brewing, bee keeping and custom picture framing.

Robyn Anderson, the granddaughter of Stephen Isaiah Kincaid, has picked the date to celebrate this Fairfield, Ill., All Star’s 100th anniversary (it’s Saturday, June 9). And she’s also inviting the town of Lewisville, where S.I. Kincaid himself started the business. Today, the 2018 All Star and Do it Best member sells everything from horseshoes to fine china, and LBM sales are growing steadily.

Steve Fusek knows what gets the engines running in Indianapolis. The owner of Fusek’s True Value is a former Indy car racing industry executive who opened this All Star store in downtown Indy in 2004. “What makes us special is we view the customer differently than most retailers,” he said. “We are solution providers to the customers, and we feel this gives us a big advantage over just about everybody in the marketplace.” And don’t miss the hardware happy hour deals on weekdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

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See the full Class of 2018 Hardware All Stars — presented by Stihl — in the May issue of HBSDealer magazine.

Founded as a lumberyard focusing on contractors, the business has evolved into a one-stop shop for all things building materials and rental equipment. Owner Brian Buswell said his rental business is not only a moneymaker but a solution for customers. And if a customer can’t rent a piece of equipment because it’s unavailable, they get a raincheck and a 20% discount. “This way, customers are more willing to come back,” Buswell said. “People are pretty happy about this policy.”

Here’s a great way for a hardware store operator to show community commitment: Earn recognition as “Citizen of the Year.” That’s exactly what Susan Wasko earned in 2014 from the Keosauqua. Susan and Joe Wasko of Wasko Do it Best Hardware have a long list of involvement: Chamber of Commerce, Keosauqua Library, Children First — even the Post-Prom Committee. Sales are growing through an enhanced home décor department and a strategic customer loyalty program.

When the Lyons, Kan., Christmas Lights parade hit hard times in 2016, this All-Star store stepped in to save the sparkle. And it worked. The parade had a record 52 floats in 2017 — just one example of the community focus in a town of 3,800. “People here are gung ho on community involvement,” said Jason Huddleston, co-owner with his wife, Danica. “And it helps business as customers realize that we’re not here just to take their money, we’re here to build this community.”

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See the full Class of 2018 Hardware All Stars — presented by Stihl — in the May issue of HBSDealer magazine.

Around the horn in Las Vegas

The National Hardware Show curated three days of discovery.

Las Vegas — The National Hardware Show brought the industry to Las Vegas for three days of networking, learning and, of course, products.

“This year’s show is all about new,” said Rich Russo, VP of the National Hardware Show, in his opening day remarks. “From our logo and branding to 500-plus new exhibitors, there are new experiences everywhere you turn and new products to bring back to your stores.”

All told, some 2,800 exhibitors were on hand to welcome the hardware industry to the show. One of those attendees was Martin Prus, owner of Abbotsford Paint & Decorating. “I’ve been coming to the show for 12 years,” he said. “We’re always looking for new products and seeing how we can expand on what we have.”

One post can’t hold the event’s vastness, but above are some of the sights seen in Las Vegas.

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